By: Stephanie Blair Editor-in-Chief
On Jan. 21, protesters around the world gathered in major cities to join in sister marches of the Women’s March on Washington. Despite the thunderstorm warning, approximately 4,200 people gathered across the street from the capitol steps to join the Salem Women’s March. Men, women, children and dogs filled the crowd holding up nearly as many signs as umbrellas.
An hour long rally was held before the mile-long march began. Speakers, such as Gov. Kate Brown and Salem city councilor Cara Kaser, advocated to the crowd about LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights and health care reform, as well as other women’s issues.
Though the Portland march lost attendance due to racial tensions and a dropped NAACP endorsement, the Salem march’s numbers were bolstered by hiring ASL interpreters for the rally and choosing a level march route.
Those in attendance ranged in age; some marchers were unable to walk because they had yet to learn how, while others were restricted to wheelchairs in their old age. At the front of the rally, one such woman held a sign which read, “Proud to be 94 and ‘nasty.’”
Haley Morris, a junior psychology major, was also in attendance. When asked why she chose to march, Morris replied, “I think it’s extremely important as the “building block” generation to be involved in the national and global conversation, especially on topics of injustice and inequality.”
Many signs at the event held messages such as, “Hate has no home here,” “Hear our voice” and “We must be vigilant, not vigilantes,” which held to the goal of the march as set by the organizers. On the Facebook event page organizers stated that, while signs were welcome, no hate speech would be permitted.
Political commentary and satirical caricatures, however, were rampant in the crowd’s signs. Some held fairly general statements, for example, “It’s not about politically correct, it’s about mutual respect.” Others were more pointed towards President Donald Trump, with signs reading, “Keep your tiny hands off my healthcare!” and “Make America think again.”
Similarly, the crowd was smattered with pink: eared hats referred to as “pussy hats” and signs that read “this pussy grabs back” in response to the president’s comment made in 2005.
“For me personally, I went to the march with less of an anti-Trump sentiment and more of a pro-people and pro-rights standpoint,” said Morris. “You can argue about who you think is the best leader, but you can’t argue over someone’s human rights.”
The event was coordinated with the Salem Police Department and was entirely peaceful; no arrests and no property damage occurred.
“All in all, I think the march went great. Almost double the number of people expected to come showed up and marched and cheered and danced in the cold and the pouring rain,” said Morris. “I think we accomplished our mission to peacefully but assertively stand together in solidarity to show our leaders and the world that we will not back down or remain voiceless in times of uncertainty and fear.”
Contact the author at journaleditor@wou.edu
